150 year-old Kelani railway bridge to be replaced soon
The new Sirisena-led administration has shot down an unsolicited proposal for the replacement of the 150 year-old Kelani railway bridge, which lasts (usage-wise) only till 2022. General Manager Railways Vijaya Amarathunga told the Business Times that they are in the process of replacing the aging bridge on the Kelani river.
The old Kelani railway bridge on the main line was officially opened on October 2, 1865 and has been in existence since the start of the railway system in then Ceylon in 1858 with the first train leaving the Colombo station in 1867. A recent study carried out by the Kelaniya University in 2002 found that it could last up to another 20 years.
According to historical records, due to a heavy monsoonal rain, the bridge is said to have collapsed with the engine and crew on September 20, 1872. Mr. Amarathunga noted that tender documents have been already prepared and that they would be calling for proposals and selecting an investor based on a competitive bidding procedure.
During the Rajapaksa regime an unsolicited proposal was under negotiation to replace the old Kelani railway bridge at an estimated cost of Rs.1, 350 million, according to information made available on the Appendix II for Investment Proposals 2015-2020 in the Transport Ministry.
Transport and Highways Ministry Secretary Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan said this proposal was rejected after the new policy of not accepting unsolicited proposals. He noted that previously due to the escalation of prices there was no competition which was why the present administration had opted to go for open bidding.